"The Alternative Asean Network on Burma (ALTSEAN-Burma) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) submission focuses on the Myanmar military regime?s use of forced labor, the forced recruitment of child soldiers, the forced displacement of civilian populations, and rape and sexual violence committed by members of the Tatmadaw (Armed Forces). These widespread and systematic abuses amounting to crimes against humanity and war crimes, as defined by Article 7 and 8 of the Rome Statute, have been documented by numerous UN mechanisms and Rapporteurs. 2. In May 2008, Myanmar? s ruling junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) adopted the country?s new Constitution. The drafting and approval of this document was the culmination of a highly controlled and undemocratic process that stretched over 15 years. The Constitution will come into force when the newly elected members of Parliament will convene following the planned 2010 general elections, the first in 20 years. 3. With the current Constitution, the SPDC ensured its own protection for prior crimes. The Article 445 of the Constitution provides that no legal action can be taken against SPDC members who officially carried out their duties ?according to their responsibilities.? The Charter effectively provides the SPDC with blanket immunity for the gross violations of human rights, including crimes against humanity and war crimes that it has committed over the past decades. 4. In March 2009, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Professor Tom?s Ojea Quintana stated that the ongoing human rights abuses in the country were ?the result of a state policy.? Due to the junta?s lack of accountability for those abuses, the Special Rapporteur made the unprecedented recommendation that the UN consider establishing a Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the SPDC, a requests that ALTSEAN-Burma and FIDH fully support..."